York RUFC travelled to Settle in the depths of Ribblesdale with a very clear mission, to ensure a bonus point win to ensure that maximum pressure for the “play off “spot, presently occupied by West Leeds, was maintained .

However, hosts North Ribblesdale were not about to meekly submit, even on “Fools” day, and if York had any lingering doubts, the first 10 minutes of continuous North Ribb territorial pressure put paid to these misconceptions. York really were lethargic and conceded two early penalties, fortunately both missed, before, after about 15 minutes, following some scrappy play, scrum half Atkin broke left in mid field and the ball sped along the line to Newitt whose electric pace beat a pair of defenders before he chipped over the last man and touched down. Fullback Davies converted (0-7). Almost from the restart, skipper Fox broke forward and made a good 50 metres before throwing a hopeful pass to the support that was deemed forward. However, almost immediately afterwards, Fox again drove forward, found Newitt who in turn found winger Nicholson who sped past a despairing defence and touched down. The conversion just drifted past (0-12).Fox again took the restart and burst through several tackles before, with fine flowing rugby sending winger Atkin flying for the line, only to be hauled down just short. At this stage York were dominant. Scrum half Atkin was also brought down just short after a neat blindside move. However, a touch of unnecessary elaboration and carelessness saw York penalised for not releasing. This allowed the very efficient North Ribb standoff to drive the play towards the York line. From the ensuing lineout their strong running centre made a good break with equally good support resulting in a fine try. Not converted (5-12). Stung, York through Newitt, broke down the left wing, passed inside to Nicholson who was held up just short and the danger cleared. However, from the ensuing lineout No 6 Parker broke through some weak tackling and scored under the posts. Again Davies converted (5-19). By this time York were dominant and again scrum half Atkin broke, found Hessay on his shoulder to score under the posts. Again Davies converted (5 – 26 ) and bonus point secured. Almost at the interval York’s Rutherford was binned for an alleged high tackle and from the resultant 5 yard scrum North Ribb scored a pushover try which was converted (12-26).

Halftime saw York in a very satisfactory position, but one which this season they have on several occasions frittered away. Their supporters held their breath.The second half started very scrappily and carried on in like vein until, out of the blue, York produced one of the tries of the season. At bewildering speed the ball moved from Newitt via countless hands, Fox, Stockton, Coe to name but a few, before finally reaching scrumhalf Atkin who scored an unconverted try (12- 31).There followed a purple patch with York playing some scintillating rugby, No7 Thompson to the fore, and the play was almost entirely in North Ribb’s half. The benches were emptied but the effect was a continuation of the dominance. With 5 minutes to go, Singleton was strong in taking the tackle, fed Newitt who again put Nicholson away for a final unconverted try in the corner (12-36).That the hosts did not score in the second half underlined York’s superiority and the day was made complete by the news that West Leeds had been beaten at Beverley. With two games to go it is a one point “play off” spot.